In this news alert:

JAPAN – Relaxation of Visa Requirements for Nationals of Five Central Asian Countries

On 1 May 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that several measures to relax the visa requirements for nationals of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will take effect on 5 June 2017.

What are the key changes?

The scope of applicants eligible for multiple entry visas for short-term stay with business purposes will be expanded.

The validity period of short-stay visas will be extended from three years to five years maximum.

The letter of reference from a guarantor will not be required for short-term visa applicants if they are self-financing their travels to Japan.

Action items

Nationals of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan who intend to visit Japan on business, and their employers, should consult an immigration specialist for the latest advice on visa compliance.